In this raw, heartfelt episode, Mandi tackles listener questions about layoffs, debt, and rebuilding after financial mistakes – all while sharing her own reflections on friendship, motherhood, and weathering life’s storms.Key Topics Covered • Why showing up for friends matters (even in sleet!) + Mandi’s hilarious The Read live show recap • Federal layoffs & corporate cuts: 75K+ gov jobs axed, Meta’s shady “performance review” purge • Listener Q&A: • “Should I abandon public health after a rescinded job offer?” → Transferable skills, LLC tips & side hustle tax hacks (featuring listener Bri’s Pilates pivot!) • “I’m drowning in debt from my 20s!” → Debt negotiation tips, credit counseling resources & mindset shifts for new moms • Mandi’s unfiltered take: Why no job is safe + protecting yourself with “receipts”Actionable Takeaways • 🛑 For laid-off workers: Document praise emails, save performance reviews, explore adjacent industries • 💸 For debt payoff: Prioritize newer debts, negotiate settlements, avoid credit repair scams • 💡 For everyone: Build a “financial parachute” via side gigsMentioned Resources • National Foundation for Credit Counselors (nfcc.org) • National Debt Relief (nationaldebtrelief.com)CALL TO ACTION • 🎧 Subscribe for weekly career/finance therapy • 💌 Submit your Q: DM @brownambitionpodcast or email brownambitionpodcasts@gmail.com • 🌟 Rate & review if this episode helped you – it fuels our mission! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mandi Woodruff hosts Dr. Key Hallmon (founder of The Village Market) and Renae Bluitt (creator of She Did That) for a candid conversation about empowering Black and minority-owned businesses through community, intentionality, and economic liberation. They explore systemic challenges, the power of collaboration, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs to thrive in uncertain times.Purchase Dr. Key's book > The Village Market Atlanta > Follow Dr. Key on IG @DrKeyHallmonCheck out Renae's upcoming She Did That events > Follow Renae on IG @IamRenaeBluitt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's BA QA Time! This week, Mandi is joined by Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to get real about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes awkward conversations we need to have about money and love.We’re talking about why early financial convos are a must (yes, even before the wedding bells), how to merge finances without losing your mind, and why transparency is the key to avoiding money drama down the line. Plus, we’re answering listener questions on everything from prenups to handling different money mindsets in a relationship.If you’ve ever side-eyed your partner’s spending habits or wondered how to raise financially savvy kids, this one’s for you. Tap in for real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way!Check out Naseema's podcast, Financially Intentional > Read The Prenup Prescription by Aarron Thomas > Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Brown Ambition, we’re getting real about everything from navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman to securing your financial future—whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between.Mandi, Naseema, and Yanely kick things off with a deep dive into Naseema’s experience as a labor and delivery nurse, unpacking the harsh realities of maternal healthcare for Black women and why financial literacy is a critical tool for empowerment.Then, we get into Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance—because when culture and artistry collide on the biggest stage, you know we have thoughts! We break down why moments like this matter and how they tie into the broader fight for representation and equity.And if you’ve ever wondered whether you really need a prenup (or a post-nup), divorce attorney Aaron Thomas joins us to drop some serious gems. We talk about why financial transparency in relationships is non-negotiable and how to protect your money, no matter your relationship status.Tune in for another honest, insightful, and necessary conversation on Brown Ambition! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey BA fam! For this edition of the BA QA, Mandi highlights her conversations with best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Chris shares how he teaches families how to land scholarships, while Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur and investing in 2025. We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Marc is an investing expert @ BetterWallet and Chris is a college scholarships and grants expert @ Your Debt-Free Degree. Together, we're diving deep into their journeys with money—tackling student debt, making that scary leap from corporate to entrepreneurship, and why community support is EVERYTHING.Chris shares how he leveled up his finances, teaches families how to land scholarships and juggles parenting with his first full year of entrepreneurship. Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur, and Mandi reminds us why resilience (and a good budget) can carry us through life’s wildest transitions.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Watch: My Money Mentors (PBS)Read: Financial Literacy 101 for College StudentsWork with Chris: Your Debt-Free DegreeFree Investing Guide:DOWNLOAD: financesincheck.com/checklist Free Passive Investing Class: financesincheck.com/registration-page  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the transformative power of having an accountability partner to reach your financial goals! Learn how mutual support can enhance motivation and success. Get expert tips on finding the perfect financial planner in 2025, including essential questions to ask for a good fit. Plus, explore how innovative tools like Teal can elevate your job application game. Simplifying finances and boosting your professional journey has never been more accessible!

Is it STILL January? On today's show: Mandi and Chris are at the Brown Table talking about his new move to SF, how he navigated dating after divorce (babe!) and we quickly cover the stock market tumble for tech giants and how bird flu is decimating our wallets. Then...we're joined by the curl queen herself, Kim Lewis, the founder of CurlMix, to share an insider's POV on the retail rollercoaster: With big retailers like Target rolling back their DEI initiatives, Kim’s keeping it real about the impact on Black-owned brands. Will boycotting work? What's the bigger picture here? How can we best support the brands we love without feeding into companies that don't love us? How can new entrepreneurs stay motivated when funding is drying up and Voldemort is bullying corporations into dropping commitments to diversity?--Send us your questions if you want to be featured on the show! @brownambitionpodcast on IGor email us brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OK BA Fam, in this episode of the BA Q&A Mandi gets personal, opening up about the emotional toll of job uncertainty and how recent executive orders have directly impacted her husband and other family members. She takes us on a deep dive into the realities of over-employment, especially for women of color, and sheds light on why so many Black women are juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat.The tea:  The emotional toll of commuting, job uncertainty, and workplace inflexibility. The hard truths about over-employment and why Black women are out here doing the most just to make ends meet. Salary negotiation tips for all our nonprofit baddies trying to get that bag. A reminder that you don’t have to carry your struggles alone—community is everything. Why You’ll Love This Episode:It’s real, relatable, and packed with practical gems. Whether you’re navigating work-life chaos or just need a reminder to breathe, Mandi’s here to let you know you’re not alone. Plus, we’re flipping the script on the “strong Black woman” trope and reclaiming our joy.Let’s Keep It Going:Feeling this one? Share it with your crew! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep building each other up, one episode at a time.Your support means everything to us! Please share this episode with a friend, peer or colleague and don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Okay, BA fam—the same week you-know-who was sworn in for another term in office, we are doing what we do best — giving the 92% a platform where we can stand tall, be proud and lift one another up! This is a heartfelt, funny, and real conversation featuring BA host Mandi Woodruff-Santos along with guests Deesha Dyer and Errin Haines. This episode is giving: The tea on gatekeeping in corporate America. Lessons on owning your identity unapologetically. Why finding joy and laughter is a radical act of self-care. Deesha shares highlights from her time as a White House social secretary (yes, she was running things for the Obama Administration) and the challenges of transitioning to life post-White House. Errin reflects on her career as a trailblazing journalist and her mission to amplify marginalized voices through her work with The 19th. Why You’ll Love This Episode:It’s inspiring, empowering, and straight-up hilarious at times. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, this one’s for you. Mandi, Deesha, and Errin remind us why community, authenticity, and joy are everything.Let’s Keep It Going:If you’re feeling this episode, share it with your squad! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your takeaways. Let’s keep lifting each other up. ✨ Laugh more. Stress less. Win big. ✨ Follow the Guests: Deesha Dyer: @DeeDyer267 Errin Haines: @emarvelous and The 19th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices